Janet Jackson’s iconic album Rhythm Nation 1814 was officially inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame during a gala held Friday night at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, joining a class of legendary recordings and albums honored for their lasting cultural impact.
The ceremony arrived shortly after Jackson celebrated the 40th anniversary of her breakthrough album Control earlier this year. During the event, she accepted the honor following an introduction from longtime collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who produced Rhythm Nation 1814.
“I’m so grateful and honored that Rhythm Nation is being recognized tonight in this wonderful, wonderful way,” Jackson said during her speech. “It’s beautiful to relive the memories attached to this project that’s so, so precious to me.” She continued by emphasizing that the album’s message still feels relevant today, calling Rhythm Nation “an ongoing force that fights bigotry and promotes understanding.”
Jackson described the project as more than just an album from the past, saying it remains “alive and well in 2026.” She added, “Rhythm Nation is a movement of people of all ages and backgrounds seeking to give and receive love, free of judgment.”
The singer closed her speech with a heartfelt call for unity and peace. “The prayer driving this Rhythm Nation remains the same, exactly the same, that peace prevail,” she said. “Peace the world over, peace among nations, peace in our neighborhoods, peace in our homes.”
The gala featured performances celebrating several newly inducted recordings. Take 6 opened the evening with a rendition of Jesus Gave Me Water by The Soul Stirrers. Taylor Hanson later performed Pink Moon in honor of Nick Drake’s inducted album Pink Moon.
Heart members Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson revisited classics from their debut album Dreamboat Annie, performing tracks including Magic Man and Crazy on You.
Other highlights included Lucinda Williams performing songs from Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, while Norah Jones, recipient of the Ray Charles Architect of Sound Award, paid tribute to Ray Charles with performances of Seven Spanish Angels and Hallelujah, I Love Him So.
One of the night’s biggest moments came when George Clinton, Blackbyrd McKnight, and Erykah Badu celebrated the induction of Funkadelic’s influential 1971 album Maggot Brain with performances of the title track and Can You Get to That.
Additional recordings inducted into the 2026 Grammy Hall of Fame class included All Eyez on Me by 2Pac, OK Computer by Radiohead, Journey in Satchidananda by Alice Coltrane, and Paid in Full by Eric B. & Rakim.
The evening also served as a fundraiser supporting the Grammy Museum and its nationwide educational programs.
